There are increasing number of cases of serum amylase and lipase levels being examined as part of health screening, but the clinical significance of these amylase and lipase levels is unclear. When the clinicians encounter patients with elevated pancreatic enzymes, the most common causes such as acute pancreatitis, hepatic or renal dysfunction should be ruled out first by thorough history taking, physical examination, and laboratory tests. Further tests including abdominal ultrasonography or computed tomography, lipid profile, tumor marker, isoenzyme, and calculation of amylase-to-creatinine clearance ratio or polyethylene glycol precipitation test should be performed to exclude other causes. If the pancreatic enzymes are continuously elevated through repeated tests without any apparent etiology, the diagnosis is made with chronic non-pathological pancreatic hyperenzymemia (CNPH). Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography is very useful and important modality for the patients with CNPH but the clinical significance of magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography with secretin stimulation is still unclear. They can be evaluated through endoscopic ultrasonography with preference but it is less suitable for follow-up. Individualized approaches should be made after considering the need for active treatment or periodic follow-up for the benign pancreatic diseases associated with CNPH. It is difficult to conclude until more long-term data are reported because there are only limited number of researches and consensus on the range of tests to be performed for diagnosis, clinical significance of benign findings and end of follow-up in patients with CNPH.
Amylases ; Cholangiopancreatography, Magnetic Resonance ; Consensus ; Diagnosis ; Endosonography ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Hyperamylasemia* ; Lipase ; Mass Screening ; Pancreas ; Pancreatic Diseases ; Pancreatitis ; Physical Examination ; Polyethylene Glycols ; Secretin ; Ultrasonography

PURPOSE: We evaluated the efficacy of ultrasonography (US) in the early postoperative period after pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) to diagnose postoperative-pancreatic-fistula (POPF). Early diagnosis is important to prevent POPF-dependent mortality after PD. The value of radiological modalities for early diagnosing POPF is not clear. METHODS: Forty-five patients who underwent transabdominal-US in the first postoperative week after PD were retrospectively evaluated. Two types of grouping methods were performed. Firstly, peripancreatic or perianastomotic fluid collections at least 2 cm in diameter were considered to be a primary positive result on US. Patients then divided into 2 groups: group 1, US-positive and group 2, US-negative. Secondly, to increase the power of US, in addition to primary positive results, the presence of fever, leukocytosis or hyperamylasemia was considered to be a secondary positive result (group 1S). The remaining patients were considered to have secondary negative results (group 2S). The sensitivity and specificity for both grouping methods were calculated for the diagnosis of PF and clinically important PF (ciPF), according to the International Study Group on Pancreatic Fistula criteria. RESULTS: For the first grouping method, the sensitivity was 36% and 28% and the specificity was 80% and 85% for PF and ciPF, respectively. For the second grouping method, the sensitivity was 36% and 29% and the spesificity was 74% and 81% for PF and ciPF, respectively. The unloculated fluid collections were not related to a significant increase in the risk of POPF (P = 0.694). CONCLUSION: Abdominal-US has low sensitivity and high specificity for the early diagnosis of POPF after PD.
Diagnosis* ; Early Diagnosis ; Fever ; Humans ; Hyperamylasemia ; Leukocytosis ; Methods ; Mortality ; Pancreatic Fistula* ; Pancreaticoduodenectomy* ; Postoperative Period ; Retrospective Studies ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Ultrasonography*

No abstract available.
Hyperamylasemia* ; Sertraline*

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to investigate the incidence, associated factors and clinical impact of hyperamylasemia in self-poisoning patients. METHODS: This study was based on a toxicology case registry of patients treated from 2009 to 2013 at a tertiary care university hospital. We retrospectively investigated the demographics, clinical variables, laboratory variables and intoxicants. Hyperamylasemia was defined as an elevation in serum amylase level to above the upper normal limit within 24 hours after admission. We analyzed the predisposing factors and clinical outcomes of patients in the hyperamylasemia group. RESULTS: Hyperamylasemia was identified in 49 (13.3%) of the 369 patients. Using multivariate logistic regression, the odds ratios for HA were 3.384 (95% confidence interval, 1.142-8.013, p=0.014), 3.261 (95% confidence interval, 1.163-9.143, p=0.025) and 0.351 (95% confidence interval, 0.154-0.802, p=0.013) for pesticides, multi-drug use and sedatives, respectively. In the hyperamylasemia group, the peak amylase levels during 72 hours were correlated with the peak lipase levels (r=0.469, p=0.002) and peak aspartate aminotransferase levels (r=0.352, p=0.013). Finally, none of these patients had confirmed acute pancreatitis. CONCLUSION: Hyperamylasemia occurred rarely in these self-poisoning patients, and pesticide and multi-drug use were independent predictors of hyperamylasemia. Peak amylase levels were correlated with the peak lipase and aspartate aminotransferase levels.
Amylases ; Aspartate Aminotransferases ; Causality ; Demography ; Humans ; Hyperamylasemia* ; Hypnotics and Sedatives ; Incidence* ; Lipase ; Logistic Models ; Odds Ratio ; Pancreas ; Pancreatitis ; Pesticides ; Poisoning ; Retrospective Studies ; Tertiary Healthcare ; Toxicology

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of intravenous lipid emulsion as well as adverse events in acute poisoning patients. METHODS: Literature was accessed through PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane library, Web of science, and KoreaMed. All forms of literatures relevant to human use of intravenous lipid emulsion for acute poisoning were included. Cases reports or letters without description of clinical outcomes for each case were excluded. The literature search was conducted by two investigators in March, 2015, with publication language restricted to English and Korean. The effect, onset time, and adverse event of lipid emulsion and final outcome of each case were analyzed. RESULTS: Eighty-one published articles were included, excluding articles whose title and abstract were not relevant to this study. No articles were classified as high level of evidence. Sixty-eight case reports were identified, consisting of 25 local anesthetics and 43 other drugs, such as tricyclic antidepressants and calcium channel blockers. Although most cases described significant clinical improvements, some of them showed no beneficial effect or worsening of clinical course. Several adverse events including hyperamylasemia and laboratory interference were reported. CONCLUSION: Although there were many case reports illustrating successful use of lipid for various drug poisonings, the effect cannot be estimated due to significant possibility of publication bias. Therefore, lipids might be considered in severe hemodynamic instability resulting from lipophilic drug poisoning, however further studies should follow to establish the use of lipid as the standard of care.
Anesthetics, Local ; Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic ; Calcium Channel Blockers ; Drug Overdose ; Fat Emulsions, Intravenous ; Hemodynamics ; Humans ; Hyperamylasemia ; Lipid A ; Poisoning* ; Publication Bias ; Publications ; Research Personnel ; Standard of Care

When access to a major duodenal papilla or endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography has failed, percutaneous transhepatic cholangioscopic lithotripsy (PTCS-L) may be useful for removing common bile duct (CBD) stones. However, the feasibility and usefulness of percutaneous transhepatic papillary large-balloon dilation (PPLBD) during PTCS-L for the removal of large CBD stones has not been established. We aimed to determine the safety and efficacy of PPLBD for the treatment of large CBD stones. Eleven patients with large CBD stones in whom the access to the major papilla or bile duct had failed were enrolled prospectively. Papillary dilation was performed using a large (12-20 mm) dilation balloon catheter via the percutaneous transhepatic route. Post-procedure adverse events and efficacy of the stone retrieval were measured. The initial success rate of PPLBD was 100%. No patient required a basket to remove a stone after PPLBD. Electrohydraulic lithotripsy was required in 2 (18.2%) patients. The median time to complete stone removal after PPLBD was 17.8 min and no adverse events occurred after PPLBD. Asymptomatic hyperamylasemia was not encountered in any patients. This study indicates that PPLBD is safe and effective for removal of large CBD stones.
Ampulla of Vater/surgery ; Bile Ducts/*surgery ; Cholangiopancreatography, Endoscopic Retrograde ; Choledocholithiasis/*surgery ; Feasibility Studies ; Gallstones/surgery ; Humans ; Hyperamylasemia ; Lithotripsy/adverse effects/*methods ; Prospective Studies ; Sphincterotomy, Endoscopic/*methods ; Treatment Outcome ; Urinary Bladder Calculi/*surgery

When access to a major duodenal papilla or endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography has failed, percutaneous transhepatic cholangioscopic lithotripsy (PTCS-L) may be useful for removing common bile duct (CBD) stones. However, the feasibility and usefulness of percutaneous transhepatic papillary large-balloon dilation (PPLBD) during PTCS-L for the removal of large CBD stones has not been established. We aimed to determine the safety and efficacy of PPLBD for the treatment of large CBD stones. Eleven patients with large CBD stones in whom the access to the major papilla or bile duct had failed were enrolled prospectively. Papillary dilation was performed using a large (12-20 mm) dilation balloon catheter via the percutaneous transhepatic route. Post-procedure adverse events and efficacy of the stone retrieval were measured. The initial success rate of PPLBD was 100%. No patient required a basket to remove a stone after PPLBD. Electrohydraulic lithotripsy was required in 2 (18.2%) patients. The median time to complete stone removal after PPLBD was 17.8 min and no adverse events occurred after PPLBD. Asymptomatic hyperamylasemia was not encountered in any patients. This study indicates that PPLBD is safe and effective for removal of large CBD stones.
Ampulla of Vater/surgery ; Bile Ducts/*surgery ; Cholangiopancreatography, Endoscopic Retrograde ; Choledocholithiasis/*surgery ; Feasibility Studies ; Gallstones/surgery ; Humans ; Hyperamylasemia ; Lithotripsy/adverse effects/*methods ; Prospective Studies ; Sphincterotomy, Endoscopic/*methods ; Treatment Outcome ; Urinary Bladder Calculi/*surgery

A paraneoplastic syndrome is a disease or symptom that is the consequence of the presence of cancer in the body but is not due to the local presence of cancer cells. Thus, successful treatment of the underlying tumor often improves such syndromes. Amylase-producing lung cancer, multiple myeloma, and ovarian cancer are reported only rarely. In Korea, no cases of hyperamylasemia have been reported in patients with primary peritoneal carcinoma. We report an interesting case of hyperamylasemia suspected to have been induced by primary peritoneal carcinoma. The patient's amylase isoenzyme patterns indicated salivary-type amylase. Hyperamylasemia was reduced in parallel with the response to chemotherapy. These data confirmed the diagnosis of amylase-producing primary peritoneal carcinoma.
Amylases ; Diagnosis ; Drug Therapy ; Humans ; Hyperamylasemia ; Korea ; Lung Neoplasms ; Multiple Myeloma ; Ovarian Neoplasms ; Paraneoplastic Syndromes ; Peritoneal Neoplasms

OBJECTIVES: Medical complications are common and often serious in patients with eating disorders, however, little is known about complications in patients with bulimia nervosa. METHODS: We conducted a retrospectively investigation of clinical characteristics and hematologic, biochemical, hormonal, and bone density evaluations in 90 Korean women with bulimia nervosa together with 100 healthy Korean women of comparable ages. RESULTS: In patients with bulimia nervosa, 20% were anemic, 3.3% were hypokalemic, 14.4% had increased alanine aminotransferase, 24.4% were lower in serum protein, 8.8% were hypercholesterolemia, and 77.8% were hyperamylasemia. Osteopenia at any one site was identified in 26.7% of patients and the lowest-ever body mass index was the main determinant of bone mineral density in patients with bulimia nervosa. CONCLUSION: In this study, many features of medical findings reported in anorexia nervosa were found in bulimia nervosa, however, the findings in bulimia nervosa were milder form than in anorexia nervosa. Management of any physical abnormalities in bulimia nervosa should focus on correction of the eating disorder.
Alanine Transaminase ; Anorexia Nervosa ; Body Mass Index ; Bone Density ; Bone Diseases, Metabolic ; Bulimia Nervosa* ; Bulimia* ; Feeding and Eating Disorders ; Female ; Humans ; Hyperamylasemia ; Hypercholesterolemia ; Retrospective Studies

BACKGROUNDEffects of prophylactic somatostatin on post-endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) pancreatitis (PEP) and hyperamylasemia remain inconclusive. This study aimed to examine whether high-dose, long-term continuous infusion of somatostatin can reduce the incidence of PEP and post-ERCP hyperamylasemia.

METHODSThis was a randomized, placebo-controlled pilot trial. One hundred and twenty-four patients scheduled for ERCP from December 2008 to May 2010 randomly received one of the following three interventions: pre-ERCP somatostatin (0.5 mg/h for 24 hours, starting 1 hour prior to ERCP; n = 36), post-ERCP somatostatin (0.5 mg/h for 24 hours, starting 1 hour after ERCP; n = 47), or placebo (saline for 24 hours, starting 1 hour prior to ERCP; n = 41). Serum amylase and lipase concentrations were measured 1 to 3 hours prior to ERCP and 6, 24, and 48 hours after ERCP.

RESULTSThe three groups did not differ in age, gender, medical history, or ERCP procedure (catheterization using contrast or guidewire, pancreatic duct visualization, procedure time, or procedure type). The rate of PEP was 13.7% (17/124) in the overall study sample and 16.7% (6/36), 10.6% (5/47), and 14.6% (6/41) in the pre-ERCP somatostatin, post-ERCP somatostatin, and placebo groups, respectively (P = 0.715). The rate of post-ERCP hyperamylasemia was 19.4% (7/36), 21.3% (10/47), and 46.3% (19/41) in the pre-ERCP somatostatin, post-ERCP somatostatin, and placebo groups, respectively (P = 0.011).

CONCLUSIONSHigh-dose, long-term continuous infusion (0.5 mg/h for 24 hours) of somatostatin, performed as either a pre- or post-ERCP, can reduce the incidence of hyperamylasemia, but not PEP.

Adult ; Aged ; Cholangiopancreatography, Endoscopic Retrograde ; adverse effects ; Female ; Humans ; Hyperamylasemia ; prevention & control ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pancreatitis ; prevention & control ; Pilot Projects ; Somatostatin ; therapeutic use